By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
Justice, fairness and equity seems to have been downplayed following the decisions of the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to only punish one individual while letting the head go unpunished as part of the poor performances of Delta athletes in the just concluded 9th National Youth Games when his Executive Assistant on Sports, Festus Owhwojero, demoted to Special Assistant while letting the Commission Chairman, Onoriode Oborevwori, the governors brother untouched.
His exoneration has raised concerns about double standards and favoritism by the governor with diverse opinion to his decision, as some described it as selective. Many had believe that both individuals or offices should have faced consequences for the poor performance of Delta athletes at the National Youth Games especially the heads of the Sport Commission.
Hear some views; “The governor erred by leaving the chairman who happens to be his brother untouched came down to the executive assistant who supposedly will or was taking orders and directives from the commissions chairman.
“Well, as for me, an anonymous said, instead of punishing one and leaving the other, i will just forgive both after warning them. Punishing one alone for the same offence does not depict fairness and equity.
“The governor should expect this criticism because his actions, though right but done out of anger and disappointment, but should have been just a public query or warning to all board members instead of one individual. “
Delta state had again hosted the 9th edition of the games from August 29 to September 6, 2025, in Asaba, having dominated other states for eight times of the yearly game, but their unfortunate defeat by Team Lagos in the 9th this edition brought to an end her dominance of the Youth Games as Team Lagos won with 52 gold medals as against Delta’s 37 gold medals.
Though Delta state won the highest medal count of (114), but the lower number of golds it had, brought her to second place, a situation that triggered sharp criticism from fans, officials and stakeholders who deemed the result unacceptable given the vast resources committed to the event.
According to a report by Emerald Newspaper, Governor Oborevwori, was visibly irked at the outcome, and convened an emergency meeting with the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and officials of the Delta State Sports Commission immediately after the closing ceremony were he alkegedly disclosed that all funding requests had been approved and demanded a full report on failures in athlete selection, preparation, and logistics.
The demotion of Owhojero, who had once served as Director-General of the Sports Commission, reassigned from Executive Assistant to Senior Special Assistant, had attracted reactions from Deltans, stating that the Delta state governor ought to have ensure fair and just disciplinary actions in addressing the failures and poor performances. Such they said, would have restore trust and confidence in the governor as it would have promoted the culture of accountability and transparency. It is also crucial that all individuals responsible for the poor performance of Delta athletes are held accountable for their actions, regardless of who is involved and or relationship to the governor.
However, the removal was seen as the administration’s first bold step toward accountability, but a step taken without equity and fairness. A move that has drawn sharp criticism as many observers questioned why the Sports Commission chairman, Onoriode Oborevwori, was untouched despite holding direct responsibility for the state’s preparations.